No Turning Back
1017 Words
Mateo
I must have blown up her phone all day and all night. She didn't pick up. I rushed to her old apartment. Her friends said they didn't know where she was but I knew they were lying. Santiago locked himself in his office for days. After Enzo and I went to check on him we saw it left in shambles. He went over to Alice's old apartment and threatened Ady and Lisa. They still didn't say anything but they were left afraid. I promised them that he wouldn't come back.
Back at the penthouse, Santiago was still angry and a mess.
"What the hell, they know something," Santiago argued. "You should have let me."
"Let you what hit them," I laughed.
"No, but you shouldn't have gotten in my way. They know something,"
"I know but Alice doesn't want to be found,"
"So, I will find her and bring her back,"
"Whatever you say," I walked away and went to take a shower.
Fifteen Minutes Later
"Still at it?" I asked my brother. He continues to call Alice every hour. She won't answer we both knew that.
"f**k!" Santiago cursed.
"Hello boys," Sasha's voice rang in my ears. It was annoying, to say the least.
"Why is she still here?" I asked annoyed.
"Because of this," she rubbed her growing belly.
"We all know that child is not his," she looked stunned but then smiled slightly.
"Santiago don't let your brother say mean things," she whined. "The baby doesn't like it."
"Shut up," Santiago said harshly to Sasha. She looked shocked. He stormed out of the penthouse. I chased after him.
We ended up at our parent's house. He always did run home after things got hard.
"What is going on?" my mother asked. "You have been acting crazy Santi." I could see it in Santiago's eyes. He calmed down the minute our mother called him Santi.
"She's gone," Santiago said suddenly. His voice was calm but somber.
"Oh," my mother looked at our father's. "I guess this time the girl leaves."
"This isn't the time dear," my father said. My father looked cool, calm, and collected. While Nate looked upset and ready to fight.
"What about your pregnant ex," Nate spoke.
"What about her," Santiago's mood changed. He became just as aggressive and moody.
"Nate, stop. He doesn't love her and shouldn't be forced to," my mother said.
"How can you say that she is carrying your grandchild," Nate responded.
"We still aren't sure about anything so I don't care about that right now," my mother answered.
"How can you-,"
"Hush," my mother silenced Nate. "Okay, so you are looking for your girlfriend?"
"Alice, yes, we are," Santiago replied.
"We?" my mother questioned.
"Wait," our fathers said in unison.
"Yeah, yeah, we said we. We are both in love with her," Santiago admitted. I smiled at his words. He did it. I didn't even think he would admit it. By the end of the night, my mother helped us get in contact with some people who could help us find her. There was no turning back for us. We were going to find her, one way or another.
Alice
I didn't know what to do or where to go. I wanted to be far from here but I couldn't go home. I didn't want to go home. I decided to get an apartment closer to the university I was attending. It wasn't that far from anything or anyone but it was far enough for now. I entered the nursing program. Something I have been wanting to do for the longest. I had some of the money to pay for it but I knew soon I would run out. I quickly got two jobs. I avoided calling Ady and Lisa for a while. I didn't want to hear about anything going on back there. I knew they would have come looking for me by now. I tried to stay focused on school. I needed to. This was too important to mess up.
*Ring*
I got a new cell phone and turned off the old one I had. I don't know why I kept it. I should have thrown it away.
"Hello,"
"Hey, stranger,"
"Hi,"
"When are you coming to visit me?"
"Soon," I said. "I promise."
"You better or else I'll come to you,"
"No, don't worry. I'll be there next week."
"Yay! Okay, good. I can't wait."
"Yeah,"
"Bye Alice,"
"Bye, mom,"
A month passed. I didn't know how it happened but it did. I didn't feel different yet everything was. I didn't go visit my mom. I always told her I would but never got the courage to go back home. It wasn't the warm and welcoming place it should have been. I loved my mother and my father for that matter but they have no idea how bad they made my life. The reason I see love the way I do is because of them. It couldn't possibly be real. People lie, people cheat, and people leave.
I was doing okay in my nursing program and even though my two jobs were hectic. I managed okay. I was doing everything I needed to, to survive and keep going. There was no turning back. I couldn't. I wanted Santiago to focus on his family. Mateo and I couldn't just be happy without him. I didn't want to do that. What I did was for the best. I knew that, or so I assumed that.
*RING*
"Honey, please come home,"
"I will, soon but I have to study and work,"
"You need time off too,"
"Come on, please, I miss you," my mother's voice sounded sincere. I did miss her too but I never had good experiences seeing her. She always complained about her life, about my father, and about how she never got to do anything for herself.
"I'll try this weekend,"
"Don't just say that,"
"I'm not, I have to go now,"
"Alice, visit your mother,"
"I will, promise,"
"You never keep your promises, just like your father,"
I hung up the phone.
- Writer
